Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, his wife and their children filmed a reality show that is set to be released in the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary. It is a return to form for the Duffys, who first met filming for MTV in the 1990s. Now, a new batch of reality TV stars are hoping to transition into elected office. Ali Rogin reports on how their campaigns could change politics.
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WARM-UP QUESTIONS
Media literacy: In this segment, Roxane Gay says that, "There's not a lot of reality to be found yet in reality television. And, quite frankly, there's not a lot of reality to be found in politics...." What do you think she means by this? What comparison is she making between reality TV and politics?
The News: Then & Now section of the Daily News Lessons allows students to see connections between current and past news events. The activity provides historical context using primary sources from the Library of Congress.
See PBS News Hour Classroom's Journalism in Action website for interactive examples of how journalists covered key events in U.S. history while honing your primary source, civics and digital news literacy skills.
THEN
As noted by the infographic at the end of this segment, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first president to appear on television in 1939. Since then, television has been a critical medium for presidents, politicians and candidates to communicate with the public.
Appealing to potential voters and winning the confidence of the public through the media of television called upon different skills and talents than the speeches and rhetoric candidates had used before television.
One famous example was the first of four televised debates in 1960 between candidates Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
View of presidential candidates Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy on a split television screen during the third 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate; Richard Nixon was located in Los Angeles, California, and John F. Kennedy in New York City. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Though Nixon came into the debate leading in the polls, he did not prepare well for appearing on television screens on countless homes throughout the U.S. He famously refused to wear makeup, and he appeared to be sweating and uncomfortable compared to the more composed Kennedy.
It soon became apparent that comfort with television and other new media was critical for success for aspiring politicians.
NOW
Donald Trump was able to win the presidency partly thanks to his comfort with television cameras due to his experience with the reality TV series, the Apprentice. Trump was similarly comfortable with social media, and was able to reach audiences daily through his constant presence on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.
Screenshot from NBC's The Apprentice
Today, reality TV stars and other celebrities with a knack for modern media see that experience along with name recognition as a significant advantage as they seek office.
Discussion questions:
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